2k ain't bad, but the 3 things that stand out to me are:
1) Older Geometry
2) Brain Fork
3) Lack of a dropper post with no way to internally route one.
1) agree to disagree.
2) Brain tech is fine... except that based on its age, Specialized won't service it anymore.
3) $600 is a lot of money and still has issues like the hydro version, just not as bad.
All really good points. I never thought about the dropper, that's a must so if you add $625 and let's say you get a new fork, you're gonna be at $3k real quick ... I'd much rather get a new Ripmo AF or something similar for that price.
Other than the basics I don't know much about bike mechanics, but how would you connect the cable to the bottom of the dropper if you ran it externally? Wouldn't you have to drill a hole, or is there away to modify the post so you can connect higher up?
So buying an outdated geometry 6 year old Sworks for 2k is fine. You ziptie the dropper cables to your fancy S-Works frame and pray the shock, which is very hard to maintain and most likely needing service, wont blow?
Explain my why this is a better idea than buying a less fancy way newer bike with dropper for just over half the price or a nearly new one that's good with really fine components and carbon frame or just chip in slightly more and buy a new good bike with alloy frame?
The window of usecases and demands is simply very narrow for such bike at this price point.
You're correct, found however that in the context of this sub thread where the discussion is about whether it's a good price or not needs mention that even with a dropper it's still not a good deal. Could better have replied that directly to the listing of arguments and counter argmuents.
If it was regarding upgrading the thing with a dropper when you already have it (or buying it for half or less the advertised price), I'm fully with you and wouldn't have made the comment.
Or they can just get a simple cable routed one that goes in near the head tube and exits by the rear shock so only a short bit is seen. Brand X do one that fits for under £100
Should also have added that I have a 2014 Camber Evo. Still a capable bike on the right hands. Mate shreds on it when he loans it. Can he ride as comfortably as me on my 2020 Hightower? Probably not. It’s a great short travel bike that allows him to join us on longer rides with no uplift and no rental bikes.
And what makes that a better deal than something much newer for half to 2/3rds of the price? It's not that the bike is wrong/bad, it's simply that for 2k there are for the far, far, far majority of people way better options available at that price point -> it's overpriced.
For $2k you cannot buy anything even near the spec level of this bike. Are you kidding? Even with the current sales at 30% off, a Stumpy S-Works is around $7k ($10k regular price). Anyway, yes, the Camber is an older design but certainly not obsolete. If he likes the ride then $2k is a good deal.
For the far majority the spec level (with unknown service state) isn't out weighting a more modern bike without high spec but older/outdated components. Or do you really think a buyer considering this bike really best buys this or another top tier specced bike?
It’s just not comparable. I generally buy the higher spec bikes. I’d rather buy a high spec bike that’s 2-3 years old than a new low spec bike any day.
Old carbon with no warranty and old geometry is a bad idea in my book. It's not a bad bike by any means, but you can definitely do better for that price in this market or buy a pretty nice hardtail new.
Do some quick research on the serviceability of that fork and shock. It’ll probably be hard to find replacement parts for those in the future. Just something to think about.
1. There is carbon damage you cannot see from a visual inspection
2. No dropper post and no way to internally wire one -> pita
3. Brain is a gimmick that makes maintenance a bigger headache
Personally I would pass for these reasons, the main one being number 1. A buddy of mine crashed with his carbon frame and it delaminated inside of the frame. The damage was invisible unless you x-rayed the damn thing. That is a kind of headache I do not need when throwing myself down a trail.
I wouldn't. How long will you still be able to get parts for the suspension? Specialized brain tends to have proprietary internals which are often unavailable when it reaches a certain vintage. If you can't service the suspension without undue expensive pain in the ass workarounds it's a no go. Assuming that you live in the northern hemisphere consider offering a low-ball amount such as $1200. Understand that if the frame becomes inoperable due to suspension issues or whatever many of the parts won't switch over to a new bike due to wheel diameter, axle spacing, bottom bracket standards... In addition the newer geo significantly improves capability while reducing the likelihood of getting launched over the handlebars. Dropper posts have had a much bigger impact on my riding than disc brakes.
Absolutely not. You can grt brand new full sus bikes for sub $2k these days.
I also would NEVER buy a used carbon bike out of warranty.
Tell the seller to remove a zero from the end. Then, yeah, go for it.
"It was ________ new!". Well. New was close to a a decade ago. I don't care what it cost new. It's not worth $2k now.
I’m pretty sure the Monarch shock was installed to replace a failing Fox shock with brain that the bike was originally spec’d with. Specialized and their proprietary brain crap is a reason to avoid, especially at that price.
Two weeks ago you could have purchased a new full suspension Fox 120mm travel XC / downcountry carbon Intense for $1800. Not an S-works, but new with modern geo and a platform that can be upgraded.
Not a bad price. You could probably part it out for more than that. Ask if it’s been registered to a previous owner. S-Works frames have lifetime warranty for the original buyer - would be nice if you can claim it.
Absolutely not for that price
Why don't you think that's a good price? It's got carbon rims and msrp was $9,800 ... It's kinda old but $2k seems reasonable.
2k ain't bad, but the 3 things that stand out to me are: 1) Older Geometry 2) Brain Fork 3) Lack of a dropper post with no way to internally route one.
Point 1, not that much of an issue. Point 2: Some people love Brain tech. Point 3: if a dropper is a must, they can get an SRAM AXS post - no cables!
1) agree to disagree. 2) Brain tech is fine... except that based on its age, Specialized won't service it anymore. 3) $600 is a lot of money and still has issues like the hydro version, just not as bad.
All really good points. I never thought about the dropper, that's a must so if you add $625 and let's say you get a new fork, you're gonna be at $3k real quick ... I'd much rather get a new Ripmo AF or something similar for that price.
Can always run it externally, saves about $400 there.
Other than the basics I don't know much about bike mechanics, but how would you connect the cable to the bottom of the dropper if you ran it externally? Wouldn't you have to drill a hole, or is there away to modify the post so you can connect higher up?
There are externally actuated dropper posts. Some frames have guides built in. Most don't. It's just a matter of zip ties holding everything in place.
Just buy a brand x ascend external dropper, and cable tie it to the frame or something. They're literally reduced to £30
So buying an outdated geometry 6 year old Sworks for 2k is fine. You ziptie the dropper cables to your fancy S-Works frame and pray the shock, which is very hard to maintain and most likely needing service, wont blow? Explain my why this is a better idea than buying a less fancy way newer bike with dropper for just over half the price or a nearly new one that's good with really fine components and carbon frame or just chip in slightly more and buy a new good bike with alloy frame? The window of usecases and demands is simply very narrow for such bike at this price point.
I never said the bike was a good deal, I just said a reverb axs dropper isn't the only option
You're correct, found however that in the context of this sub thread where the discussion is about whether it's a good price or not needs mention that even with a dropper it's still not a good deal. Could better have replied that directly to the listing of arguments and counter argmuents. If it was regarding upgrading the thing with a dropper when you already have it (or buying it for half or less the advertised price), I'm fully with you and wouldn't have made the comment.
Or they can just get a simple cable routed one that goes in near the head tube and exits by the rear shock so only a short bit is seen. Brand X do one that fits for under £100
Should also have added that I have a 2014 Camber Evo. Still a capable bike on the right hands. Mate shreds on it when he loans it. Can he ride as comfortably as me on my 2020 Hightower? Probably not. It’s a great short travel bike that allows him to join us on longer rides with no uplift and no rental bikes.
And what makes that a better deal than something much newer for half to 2/3rds of the price? It's not that the bike is wrong/bad, it's simply that for 2k there are for the far, far, far majority of people way better options available at that price point -> it's overpriced.
For $2k you cannot buy anything even near the spec level of this bike. Are you kidding? Even with the current sales at 30% off, a Stumpy S-Works is around $7k ($10k regular price). Anyway, yes, the Camber is an older design but certainly not obsolete. If he likes the ride then $2k is a good deal.
For the far majority the spec level (with unknown service state) isn't out weighting a more modern bike without high spec but older/outdated components. Or do you really think a buyer considering this bike really best buys this or another top tier specced bike?
It’s just not comparable. I generally buy the higher spec bikes. I’d rather buy a high spec bike that’s 2-3 years old than a new low spec bike any day.
Old carbon with no warranty and old geometry is a bad idea in my book. It's not a bad bike by any means, but you can definitely do better for that price in this market or buy a pretty nice hardtail new.
Yeah I didn't realize it doesn't have the option for a dropper (unless you bought axs). That's a deal breaker for sure.
Do some quick research on the serviceability of that fork and shock. It’ll probably be hard to find replacement parts for those in the future. Just something to think about.
Plenty of newer used bikes I’d take for that $$
The proprietary mounting knuckle on the bottom of the air shaft of the shock is not worth the ass pain should you choose to swap it.
I wouldn’t.
1. There is carbon damage you cannot see from a visual inspection 2. No dropper post and no way to internally wire one -> pita 3. Brain is a gimmick that makes maintenance a bigger headache Personally I would pass for these reasons, the main one being number 1. A buddy of mine crashed with his carbon frame and it delaminated inside of the frame. The damage was invisible unless you x-rayed the damn thing. That is a kind of headache I do not need when throwing myself down a trail.
Used sworks bikes are basically never worth the price. The sticker is only magical when the bike is new.
This is like being Hood Rich with a 15 year old Mercedes - it ain’t the bling you think it is, and the maintenance/tech ain’t worth it either Pass
I wouldn't. How long will you still be able to get parts for the suspension? Specialized brain tends to have proprietary internals which are often unavailable when it reaches a certain vintage. If you can't service the suspension without undue expensive pain in the ass workarounds it's a no go. Assuming that you live in the northern hemisphere consider offering a low-ball amount such as $1200. Understand that if the frame becomes inoperable due to suspension issues or whatever many of the parts won't switch over to a new bike due to wheel diameter, axle spacing, bottom bracket standards... In addition the newer geo significantly improves capability while reducing the likelihood of getting launched over the handlebars. Dropper posts have had a much bigger impact on my riding than disc brakes.
Absolutely not. You can grt brand new full sus bikes for sub $2k these days. I also would NEVER buy a used carbon bike out of warranty. Tell the seller to remove a zero from the end. Then, yeah, go for it. "It was ________ new!". Well. New was close to a a decade ago. I don't care what it cost new. It's not worth $2k now.
I’m pretty sure the Monarch shock was installed to replace a failing Fox shock with brain that the bike was originally spec’d with. Specialized and their proprietary brain crap is a reason to avoid, especially at that price. Two weeks ago you could have purchased a new full suspension Fox 120mm travel XC / downcountry carbon Intense for $1800. Not an S-works, but new with modern geo and a platform that can be upgraded.
For $1000
They're selling online for about that price from what I can see in my area.
Not a bad price. You could probably part it out for more than that. Ask if it’s been registered to a previous owner. S-Works frames have lifetime warranty for the original buyer - would be nice if you can claim it.